Driving the Hà Giang Loop by motorbike is a must-do activity for anyone travelling in Vietnam. Northern Vietnam offers stunning views as far as the eyes can see, and self-driving the infamous Hà Giang loop is an adventure of a lifetime!
Why we recommend self driving over Easy Rider tours
How much it costs us for a 5 day – 4 night self driving tour
Our top tips to help you have the most amazing time at Ha Giang Loop
Ha Giang Loop- Self-drive or Easy Rider tour?
These are your 2 options once you have decided to drive the Hà Giang Loop by motorbike. Our advice? If you have an international driving license that allows you to drive a motorbike, you can easily self-drive the route. And yes, the police do check your license, we were stopped 4 times at checkpoints at different times of the day along different stretches of the loop. Don’t risk it, your motobike will be impounded if you are found to have the wrong license.
Hiring an ‘Easy Rider’ is the most common choice for travellers. These are driver guides that chauffeur you on the whole trip allowing you to relax and take in the views. You do the tour as part of a larger group with a set route, meals included, and accommodation organised in advance. These tours are very social and saves on planning time, so why would you do it any other way?
Here are our 5 reasons you should self drive the Ha Giang Loop in Vietnam…
BBQ at the night market in Ha Giang
1. Save Money
Our 5-day and 4-night self-driving tour cost a total of £259 for 2 people. This included: 5 days of motorbike hire (Honda XR 150cc), fuel, accommodation, food, drinks, and snacks. The cheapest Easy Rider tour packages we found were £155 per person for 3 days and 3 nights. We stayed in en-suite private rooms and ate VERY well! You can easily do this tour on a lower budget by renting a cheaper motorbike and lower-cost homestays.
Coffee with a view- Ha Giang Loop
2. Explore at your own pace
It’s difficult to get lost on this route. By self-driving you choose how many stops to make along the way, where you want to explore, and where to spend more time. Getting a sore bum from sitting on it all day? Take a Vietnamese coffee break and admire the views! Want to spend more time in one town, book an extra night stay. We used Google Maps to navigate if needed and it worked great.
Bamboo Raft Crossing Ha Giang
3. Find the hidden gems
Explore fishing hidden away fishing villages and rice farms off the main loop. Stop at roadside food stalls to eat alongside locals. You won’t find ‘tourist prices’ here! And have you heard about the bamboo raft to cross the Nho Quế River? Due to the muddy road conditions, motorbike tours will avoid this route and use the tourist boats to cross. This is one for the more experienced motorbike riders!
Cliff of Death- Ha Giang Loop
4. Avoid the crowds
Group tours are known for their lively evenings enjoying ‘Happy Water’ and singing karaoke into the early hours. They also generally follow a set route which inevitably means the main attractions such as waterfalls can get overcrowded. Getting an early night in a quieter homestay and setting off ahead of the crowds means you could have that waterfall all to yourself!
Coffee shop owner Ha Giang Viewing Point
5. Spend time with locals
The Hà Giang Loop is not as well traveled as neighbouring Sapa in Northern Vietnam. This means businesses are usually run by locals and English is less widely spoken. With a little help from Google Translate, you have the opportunity to learn more about their way of life and support their business. This is exactly how we got to know Thào (pictured) who had recently set up a coffee shack at a viewing point on the loop. To help promote his new business we created an IG Reel to share his location and delicious coffee .
When we were looking into the pros and cons of self driving versus Easy Rider tours, we didn’t find a huge amount of useful information online. So we hope that sharing our costs, top tips, and experiences has been helpful in your research. Have an amazing time, it was truelly one of the best experiences of our month long trip across Vietnam!
Experiencing the delights of Nyonya Cuisine in Kuching
Nyonya Kitchen By Sonia in Kuching
Looking for traditional Nyonya food in Kuching? As hard to please Foodies, were very impressed by the delicious food at Nyonya Kitchen by Sonia. It was the most memorable meal we had in Sarawak! If you have yet to experience Nyonya flavours, you should expect fragrant spices, flavourful stews, and lots of variety.
Whilst visiting family in the City of Kuching, the capital and the most populous city in Sarawak Malaysia, we were taken on the most delicious food tour only locals can do!
We tasted local Sarawak foods such as Sarawak Laksa (a savoury spicy noodle dish that is unique as it has a blend of spices, aromatics, herbs, tamarind paste, and creamy coconut milk), Kolo Mee (dry noodles tossed in a savoury pork and shallot mixture, topped off with fragrant fried onions), and Kacang Ma (Motherwort Chicken) but the most memorable meal was on our final evening when we were taken to Nyonya Kitchen By Sonia and enjoyed a feast of traditional Nyonya home cooking.
What is Nyonya food?
Nyonya food, also known as Peranakan cuisine, is a fusion of Chinese, Malay, and Indonesian cooking techniques and ingredients. It’s known for its use of spices, herbs, and aromatics, and is often described as tangy, spicy, and aromatic.
Is Nyonya food spicy?
Nyonya food can be spicy, but it also tastes sweet, salty, and sour. There is a balance of flavours, so chili spice isn’t a dominant one.
What does Nyonya mean?
Nyonya (also spelled nyonyah or nonya) is a Malay and Indonesian honorific used to refer to a ‘foreign married lady’. It is a loan word, borrowed from the old Portuguese word for lady donha. Many Peranakans trace their origins to 15th-century Malacca, where their ancestors were thought to be Chinese traders who married local women. Peranakan men are known as baba, while the women are known as Nonya (or Nyonya).
As guests with little knowledge of Nyonya food, we asked our hosts to select the dishes from the extensive menu. The result was a delicious array of starters and mains with a range of flavours to pick and choose from.
As you can see from the pictures above we were spoilt for choice and this wasn’t all the food! The food was served as it was ready, as with most Asian restaurants, so at some point, we were busy eating and chatting and began to neglect the photos!
See the photo captions for the names of the dishes. We had a selection of seafood and meat dishes, all with balanced flavours, and came in large portions. We had so much left over that it was taken home for lunch the next day.
The only part of the meal we felt a little disappointed by was desserts. They felt like an afterthought, and we had much better Chendol at street food hawker stalls around Kuching.
Nyonya Chicken CurrySago Melaka and Ice ChendolNyonya Kitchen Abacus WallNyonya Kitchen Kuching
The decor in Nyonya Kitchen is absolutely stunning! Using local materials and drawing from Peranakan culture, the dining room is a colourful delight with so many details to explore and admire. The fabulous mural is eye-catching and captures the essence of Nyonya’s kitchen. The abacus wall is a fun addition, making a 3D display art piece that adds interesting textures to the feature wall. There are also displays of family photos and vintage lamps and fans which make you feel like you’ve been welcomed into a family living room.
The staff are attentive and we enjoyed the chilled vibe of the restaurant. It was a fairly quiet midweek evening, but it’s sure to be busy at weekends and during festive times so be sure to make a reservation.
Overall Food: 9/10
Value for Money: We didn’t pay, but menu prices are affordable.
Service: 8/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
How to find them
Address: In Front of The Banquet Restaurant – Sublot 15,16, 17, Jalan Datuk Tawi Sli, The 3rd Exchange Commercial Centre, Kuching, MalaysiaPhone: +60 18-989 5656Email: jc.orientalhcsb23@gmail.comNyonya Kitchen by SoniaSocials
Your Ultimate Guide To Toby And Thelmas Island Camping Adventure
You’re going island hopping in The Philippines and Palawan Island is one of the stops. You are looking for mid-range accommodation and also want to see more than the main tourist stops of El-Nido and Puerto Princesa. Maybe you’ve read that Port Barton is a little-known, but up-and-coming, sleepy seaside village that travelers are only just discovering.
In May 2024, we spent 4 nights at Palawan Camping in a beachfront tent and barely saw any other people for most of our stay. We spent our days paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters whilst enjoying fresh seafood and homecooked meals. Here we share all you need to know to book your once-in-a-lifetime stay at this island paradise.
Toby and Thelmas Island Adventure
Palawan Camping, also known as Toby and Thelmas Island Camping Adventure, is a fully self-contained campsite providing everything you need to enjoy an all-included holiday in this exclusive paradise.
View of the beach from the campBeachside tent at Palawan Camping
How to book your stay
You will not find Palawan Camping on any hotel booking sites, so booking directly with them via email is the only way to secure your stay. It is best to choose your dates and enquire about availability in advance as they can be very busy with large groups. We booked the accommodation 1 month ahead and were lucky to have the whole campsite to ourselves for the first day.
BreakfastLunchEvening Meal
What is included
Private, well ventilated, tent with shared WC and shower room or a hut with ensuite facilities (for larger groups or families)
Unrestricted views of the beach and sea from your bed
Double bed, carpeted floor, couch and easy chairs, and lots of extra space
3 home-cooked seasonal meals each day and drinking water
Unlimited use of kayaks, snorkeling gear, badminton, volleyball, and paddle boards
Additional fees
Soft drinks, alcohol, hot drinks, fruit salads (see menus below for the prices)
Offshore snorkeling trips (we didn’t do this)
Boat transfer to the island (see next section for the costs)
Drinks MenuCocktail MenuBreakfast menu
At Palawan Camping your meals will be prepared according to your dietary needs, are predominantly Filipino traditional meals, and cooked for you to order for the time you agree in advance. You can choose what you want off the breakfast menu and it is best to order the night before, especially if there are a lot of guests to cater for.
For omnivores, the afternoon and evening meals often center around the ‘catch of the day’ as fresh fish is delivered by boat from fishermen from neighboring San Vicente. The camp team understands vegetarian and vegan needs well, so will prepare appropriate meals if this is your preference.
Palawan Camping’s additional drinks are affordable and can be put on a tab to be paid when you’re checking out. There is no shop on the campsite so bring any snacks or specific drinks you need with you.
How much it costs
The Palawan Camping website advertises their rate as 3000 pesos, per person, per day. This includes 3 hearty meals and all sports activities. Children under 10 are 1/2 price if they are accommodated in the same tent as parents. *published prices in May 2024
Additional costs: (Cash only, no card payment facilities)
Boat Transfer to the campsite from Port Barton – 300 pesos per person each way (required)
Staff tips (optional)
We stayed at Palawan Camping for 4 nights in early May 2024. At the time the exchange rate was 63 PHP = £1 so this is the breakdown of our costs for 2 adults sharing one tent. The total came to £458.25
Mini-van to Port Barton from Puerto Princesa airport (1200 pesos)
£19.05
Trishaw from the Port Barton mini-van stop to the port (50 Pesos)
£0.79
Return private boat transfer to the camp (1200 PHP)
£9.52
4 nights stay at Toby and Thelmas Island Camping Adventure (24000 PHP)
£380.95
Optional Staff tip (2000 Pesos)
£28.17
Extra coffees, soft drinks, and fruit salads in camp (1440 Pesos)
£19.77
When looking at accommodation costs in nearby Port Barton, we found there was cheaper accommodation available. However, none included your meals and most were on public beaches or further inland.
To give you an idea of the food costs in the area, when we first arrived at Port Barton we ate a traditional Filipino seafood lunch at Rocel’s Beach Barn for 650 Pesos, that’s just over £10 for two people. On our way out of Port Barton, we had a Western-style brunch at The Fat Cat Cafe with coffee for 1100 Pesos (£15.50). These were meals at larger, tourist-focused, eateries so there are cheaper local options were available.
Overall we felt that the additional cost of having the private beach to ourselves, away from the crowds, and the unique experiences we had due to the generosity of the amazing staff team at the camp, was worth the overall price.
The best time to go
We were in the Philippines for the first two weeks of May 2024. The weather was mostly hot and humid with the odd rain shower to cool things down. We had planned on being there in June but we rearranged our plans when we found out June would be the rainy season.
Popular months: December to February when temperatures are at their coolest and the rain generally stays away.
Months to be wary of: March to May it gets very hot and humid.
Months to avoid: June to October is when the rains can disrupt planes, cars, and boats so your travel plans will need to be more flexible.
* These are guidelines only. With climate change affecting the Earth’s weather systems it’s best to plan accordingly!
Sunset at the campPalawan Camping private beach
How to get there
We flew into Palawan island from Manila via Puerto Princesa airport, arriving at sunrise. Most travelers will arrive here or enter via El-Nido, on the north of the island, by plane or ferry.
There is an ATM and toilets inside the airport terminal, so be sure to use them before you leave. You can get back in but need to go through security again to do so.
You then need to make your way to the seaside village of Port Barton. You could probably arrange a private transfer but we went by mini-van, a common transport option for longer distance travel in the Philippines.
On exiting the airport you will find mini-van drivers that take people to various destinations across the island. We got the number for a driver from the accommodation team, but you can easily ask the drivers that hang around the entrance. The ride to Port Barton takes approx 3 hours and is an adventure in itself! The one-way journey costs 600 Pesos per passenger, and they will squeeze as many people as physically possible into the mini-van. Embrace the experience!
Arriving at Puerto Princesa AirportPort BartonTrishaw to the boat port
Palawan Camping is only accessible by private boat. No road takes you there and no public ferry or boats. This is what makes it a hidden island adventure!
On arriving at the seaside village of Port Barton we took a Trishaw to the beachfront to get the boat transfer. We then found that it was walkable in 15 minutes, but we didn’t know how far the meeting point was, and the trishaw was cheap at 50 pesos (80p) for two people. We also asked the trishaw driver to take us to an ATM to withdraw our accommodation money, which saved us from trekking the streets in over 30-degree heat!
We had some time spare before our prearranged private boat transfer so we grabbed an early lunch, bought some essentials at the local shops, and withdrew cash at the ATM since they only accept cash at the campsite. (You cannot pay for the accommodation online or by card!)
The transfer leaves from outside Rocel’s Bed and Breakfast and takes about 25 minutes. The staff there know Thelma well and are happy for you to wait in the shade of their buildings for the boat to arrive. We chose to eat at their attached restaurant. The food and juices are delicious!
The 25-minute catamaran ride to the campsite is a treat in itself. You get your first glimpse of what you have in store for you as you leave Port Barton and head out to the more remote areas of Palawan. Seeing the campsite appear in front of you is just breathtaking.
View from inside the tentHaving lunch at the Palawan Camping
Our top tips for a stress-free stay
Take cash with you. As with many local Philippines businesses they do not accept card or online payments. You will need enough cash to pay for all your accommodation, travel costs, and any extra food and drinks.
There is minimal phone signal on the campsite. Embrace the silence and stay off your screens. This is your time to relax, do watersports, or read a paperback book.
Electricity is on from around 6pm to around 10 pm in the main building, this is where you can charge your devices should you need to.
Shop for snacks in Port Barton. The meals are very filling so this isn’t essential but if you like to snack there is no shop to buy from. The on-site bar occasionally has some available but it’s not guaranteed.
Boat trips are available for an additional cost. Ask the staff about island hopping tours or off-shore snorkeling trips.
Palawan Camping view from the sea
We had an incredible experience at Palawan Camping in Port Barton
With breathtaking sea views from our bed, it’s the ultimate island escape. The delicious homemade Filipino meals cooked by the on-site team were also a big highlight. But don’t forget to bring snacks with you as no shops are nearby. We went there to relax and unwind, but if you want to explore more you can enquire about the boat trips for island hopping and off-shore snorkeling. If you’re looking for a fantastic mid-range option while exploring Palawan, Palawan Camping comes highly recommended.
To see more reviews of Toby and Thelmas Island Camping Adventure check out Trip Advisor. Enjoy your trip to The Philippines!
Inside the Batu Caves Kuala LumpurBatu Caves Malaysia
Visiting the Batu Caves for the first time?
We share our experience with you. This is all you need to know to prepare for your half day visit to the Batu Caves, and yes it is worth going!
How to get to the Batu Caves
The number of steps at Batu Caves
What to wear
How much time to spend there, opening times & tickets
The Batu Cave Monkeys
How to get to the Batu Caves
It was raining heavily the morning we went, so we took a taxi using the ‘Grab’ app. It took 25 minutes from our hotel in the city centre and cost around 45 Ringgits (MYR) approximately £7.50.
There is a train station right next to the Batu Caves which takes you directly to the city centre. We took the train back for 2.5 Ringgits each, that’s around 85 pence for 2 people! The train only runs every 30 minutes and takes 35 minutes to reach the city centre. If you’re on a limited budget and time your visit with the train times, this is your best option!
No. of Steps:
There are 272 steps to climb so it’s not one for people with bad knees! You don’t have to be an avid hiker to get to the top, there is plenty of space for you to rest along the way, watch the monkeys play, and turn around to admire the stunning views of the city below.
There is no other way to get to the top! It takes around 15 minutes.
What to wear:
Where light clothing that covers your shoulders and down to your knees. You are entering a religious site. Bring a shawl to cover up of needed, or rent one from at the entrance to the cave.
It was raining heavily when we went so we wore rain jackets. It can get a bit hot in the cave, so thin layers are best!
How much time you need, Opening hours and Tickets
We spent approximately 2 hours there, so including travel time it’s easily done in half a day.
The Batu Cave is open from 6am to 9pm.
The lesser known Ramayana Cave (separate entrance) is open 9am to 6.30pm, there is 10 Ringgit per person entry fee. The Dark Cave is now permanently closed to visitors.
No tickets are needed, just turn up! It’s free to enter but leave a donation if you have the means to.
The Batu Cave Monkeys
An attraction in themselves! The Batu Cave Monkeys are lots of fun to watch, especially on your way up to the top. They roam freely and are very used to being around people.
You may have heard the monkeys can attack people or steal food, we did not see this happen but it’s best to be cautious and avoid eating near them or approaching them. They are wild animals after all!Batu Cave Monkey Mama and Baby
Your top 3 tips for a great visit:
We had a lovely time at the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur and would recommend it to anyone wanting to escape the busy city for a while.
Our 3 top tips for making your trip a better one:
1) It’s best to go early in the morning or later in the afternoon if it’s due to be a hot day. The rain can make the steps slippery so wear shoes with a good grip!
2) Use the toilet before you go up the steps, the only public facilities are on the ground level.
3) Water and snacks are available from the food vendors on the site and next to the train station, so you won’t go hungry. (Just remember to avoid eating near the cheeky monkeys!)
Who doesn’t enjoy exploring the night street food market when traveling in Asia? We visited two of the famous night markets in Taipei and share our top tips so you can plan a seamless night of strategic foodie indulgence!
Taiwan’s night markets aren’t only about food, you will also find many stalls offering various games to entertain adults and children alike. We saw whole shops full of claw machines, your usual arcade-style games, and lots of games we couldn’t figure out the rules of. It’s fun to watch people play as you snack on your latest find.
Where to go, what to eat, and how much the food costs
Which nightmarkets to go to in Taipei
Starting in Taiwan’s capital city, Taipei, we explore the two most famous night markets; ‘Raohe’ and ‘Shilin’ night markets. Among Taipei’s most popular tourist attractions are the Raohe Night Market in Songshan and the Shilin Night Market near Jiantian MRT station. Both are popular with locals and tourists, and we would highly recommend you visit both if you have the time because there is much to explore and enjoy! There are also many smaller pop-up street food markets in the neighbourhoods to check out too, so do take them time to check them out if you’re in the area.
What to eat
Taiwan is famous for its’ night market street-food from the famous Taiwanese Fried Chicken to the Black Pepper Buns and Sweet Potato Balls, you are in for a culinary treat as you slowly meander through the busy street and stop for street snacks along the way.
You should expect to find seafood, buns, fried snacks, sweet desserts, braised meats and offal, scallion pancakes, noodle soups, dumplings, and freshly made fruit juices. There truly are far too many options to list here but we found this guide a useful resource.
Our top tip is to take a walk around the market and check out what is on offer first as the stalls can change each night and there are often new foods that entice your tastebuds along the way.
Modern Taiwanese culture blends Chinese, Austronesian, Japanese, and Western influences and most of the hawker stalls are run as independent family businesses. This means no one stall’s food will be the same as the next!
How much food costs
The street food vendors generally only accept cash, so bring plenty with you. The food at night markets generally costs between NT10 to NT100 (25p – £2.50) per portion, so try to avoid bringing large notes. The transaction speed is very quick at the food stalls so try and have the correct change to hand when you’re ordering.
Taiwan night markets are free to enter and a good strategy is to arrive early before it gets super crowded. They are generally open from 5 to 11 pm. Be aware there is usually very little seating, so you eat as you walk or take your snacks away. Most menus are in Taiwanese, but some stalls do have English language translations. We used Google Translate, ordered food in English, pointed a lot, and never struggled to order what we wanted.
We spent two days in Taipei, visiting the two biggest night markets, and this is everything we ate!
1. Raohe Street Night Market in Taipei, Taiwan
Raohe is one of the city’s oldest night markets, it’s easily accessible by Taipei’s convenient and clean rail system. It’s one of the largest night markets, attracting locals and tourists alike, and offers a huge variety of grilled, fried, steamed, barbequed, braised, and sweet dishes.
How to get there: Take the MRT to Songshan Station. The night market entrance is next to the temple.
Fried Octopus Tentacles
Grilled Whole Squid
Sugar Cane Juice
Taiwanese Fried Chicken Steak
Fuzhou Black Pepper Bun
Egg Waffles Taiwan Night Market
What we ate:
Fuzhou Black Pepper Bun can be found at one of the first stalls as you enter the market by the main entrance. You won’t miss it as there is always a big queue. The buns are made throughout the night and baked in a tandoor in big batches. They are piping hot and you will burn your mouth because you will not be able to resist taking a bite of the fragrant spiced bun you finally hold in your hands!
Taiwanese Fried Chicken Cutlet is juicy, crunchy, and addictive!
Grilled Whole Squid looks impressive on the skewer, but thankfully they chop it into more manageable pieces for you. The squid is basted in a sauce throughout cooking giving it a slightly sweet but very umami flavour.
Fried Octopus Tentacles Soft, chewy, and delicious!
Sugar Cane Juice helped to wash down on the delicious snacks. Many different drink choices include freshly made fruit milks and bubble tea. It was Daryoush’s first time trying fresh sugar cane juice.
Egg Waffles are found throughout the market. We opted for plain ones as we were already so full!
Rainbow Bridge over the Keelung River
Street Art at Rainbow Bridge over the Keelung River
Where to eat your food:
If you want a break from the busy market, want to find somewhere quiet to eat your treats, or just need to walk off your meal to make space for even more tasty morsels, then head to the Rainbow Bridge over the Keelung River. There are many benches along the riverbank to sit and enjoy your food. It’s very peaceful and pretty. There is a ‘LOVE’ sculpture where couples put padlocks on to signify their unbreakable bond and a very well-maintained cycle path with families cycling in tandem enjoying the evening together.
After our leisurely stroll along the river, we headed back into the market for dessert. You can see from my face how much I enjoyed that! By then our stomachs had reached full capacity so we stopped for a foot massage and watched people play games at the various children’s games stalls on the strip.
2. Shilin Night Market
Shilin Night Market is one of the largest night markets in Taipei and covers a large area. You can walk and turn into the side alleys and discover a lot of different little shops open late into the night. It is also Taipei’s most touristy market, so some people may avoid it, but in my opinion it’s still well worth a visit!
How to get there: Take the MRT to Jiantan Station. Take exit 1 and cross the street to the left diagonally to enter the night market. Follow the crowds, you won’t go wrong!
Lu Wei- braised meats and seafood in a secret sauce
Shrimp and Cheese Takoyaki
Stuffed Bubble Egg Waffles
Crab Stick with Nori Powder
Takoyaki
Claw Machine Shops
What we ate:
Lu Wei- braised meats and seafood in a secret sauce is usually one of the biggest stalls on the market and is hugely popular. They are also one of the few stalls with seating!
Shrimp and Cheese ‘Takoyaki’ what is not to love? Burn your mouth goodness with a decent cheese pull guaranteed!
Takoyaki because the original is still the best. Not a traditional Taiwanese snack, but I always get it when I see it.
Crab sticks were not my favourite, unfortunately. It was a popular stall and you could choose your topping flavour, but for me, it tasted very processed.
Stuffed Bubble Waffles novel and cute on a stick!
People playing Children’s Games
Top tips for your visit to any Taiwan Night Market
Make sure you go hungry! We tried a lot less food at Shilin Night Market as we’d had a big lunch. Schoolboy error…
Go on different days to the same night market, if you are spending more time in Taiwan. The stalls change, as do the food offers, so there is always something new to try!
Take cash and plenty of small change. Most stalls do not take card payments. The food is very cheap and card payment commissions eat into small business’ profits.
Everyone has different tastes, some more adventurous than others, so the night markets are a great place to try different foods. The majority of the food is cooked in front of you, and piping hot, so we never worried about how safe the food is to eat. If you are more cautious, stick to deep-fried foods and avoid cold salad and food that has been sitting out for a while.
Hopefully, you now have a few ideas on what foods to try on your next visit. And if so, we’d love to hear what you’ve tried at the Taiwan Night Markets!
Looking for authentic Hong Kong Street Food in Kowloon with a high standard of hygiene? Most importantly you also need a menu in English and helpful staff that don’t ignore you. IYKYK!
Our first meal upon landing in Hong Kong was at the ChorLand Cookfood Restaurant, Tsuen Wan. Just a few minutes walk from our hotel, my relatives took charge and reserved a table for us to enjoy a family reunion meal together after we’d traveled for 18 hours, door to door, from the UK.
Upon arrival at the airport, we were faced with a grumpy taxi driver as we ended up waiting at the wrong place for the lift. (Don’t let this put you off taxis in HK, it’s pretty standard taxi driver behaviour!) So once we checked into our hotel we headed straight out for a decent feed! What better way to start your City Break than eat traditional Cantonese style Hong Kong Street Food?
Traditional Dai Pai Dong in Hong Kong (Image taken from Google Images, owner unknown)
The Dai Pai Dong Experience
Going to a ‘Dai Pai Dong’ Street Food Stand is ubiquitous in the Hong Kong street food scene. You find street food stalls everywhere selling their specialist menus and everyone has their favourite food spots. The modern Dai Paid Dong restaurant is a far cry from the street hawker stalls found when I visited as a child in the 1980’s and early 1990’s. There are no longer masses of temporary stall setups on the side of the street with plastic stools and questionable hygiene practices, but their high-quality delicious food can still be found!
I have core childhood memories of eating a delicious meal during humid evenings, sitting on a stool on the side of the street, surrounded by neon lights, the sounds of woks banging, people gossiping, and the smells of the dishes being dropped at nearby tables. A similar experience can still be found, as many street-level restaurants have tables and chairs on the pavement. However, the pop-up markets and neon signs have all but disappeared to be replaced by modern shop fronts and air conditioning.
Beef black pepper, Rice with lard, Squid with chilli and garlic
ChorLand Cookfood Stall
What We Ate, With Ratings
I have to admit that we left the ordering to my relatives as it was our first time there and we were pretty shattered from the journey so we left them to it. I come from a family of foodies, are there any Hong Kongers that aren’t?!) so they knew what was good.
They ordered a variety of dishes, and the food just kept on coming! Be mindful that the dishes don’t come all at once, they come as they are ready so there is little chance of getting a photo of the whole meal. Some highlights of the meal:
Salted Egg Yolk King Prawns with Toasted Oats (9/10)
Marinated Fried Pigeon/Squab (7/10)
Braised Chicken with Fried Garlic and Chilli (7/10)
Fish cakes with Lotus Root and Truffle (8/10)
Steamed Rice with Lard Drizzle (their famous rice, you get the liquid lard in a small teapot and your mix it into hot rice for an indulgent side dish!) (8/10)
Salted Egg Yolk Corn on the Cob (9/10)
Stir-fried Morning Glory (9/10)
Tofu and Fish Clay Pot with Belly Pork and Lettuce (8/10)
Other dishes came but I didn’t try them/forgot their names, so I haven’t mentioned them here. However, the overall meal was one of the best in our 3-week trip! And such a great first meal to be welcomed with.
Overall Food: 8.5/10
Value for Money: We didn’t pay, but menu prices are affordable.
Service: 8/10 (better than the usual HK standard!)
Atmosphere: 9/10 (No freezing aircon and neon signage for the win!)
This Cantonese Street Food Restaurant offers a delivery service, a loyalty points scheme, and a range of hot, cold, and alcoholic beverages. They also offer a cake-cutting service for people bringing celebration cakes. To be fair if I was local to this restaurant I’d be here building my loyalty points regularly!
Reservations, Opening Times, and The Menu
Make sure you reserve a table! This is a very popular restaurant so reservation is necessary unless you want to stand in the street and queue for a long time. You can do this directly by phone but they have 3 stores so make sure you’re booking for the correct branch.
Opening times are 5:30pm to 2am every day.
The latest menu can be found on their Facebook Page but I also found the English language menu on Open Rice so don’t worry about not understanding it!
The Meteora Monasteries are the ‘miracle of Greece’. The Greek word Meteora means “suspended in the air” and brilliantly describes the way these Greek Orthodox Monasteries seem to balance on the cliff edges. When visiting this bucket-list Unesco World Heritage site, most visitors base themselves at the nearest town, Kalabaka.
We visited these impressive rock formations of Meteora when holidaying in nearby Thessaloniki and Halkidiki, combining the beach holiday with a dose of mountain air away from the bright lights of the big city.
1. Getting to the Meteora Monasteries
The closest international airport is Thessaloniki. It is possible to get a bus or train from Thessaloniki to Meteora however we hired a car for the duration of our trip. We would recommend this too if you are traveling independently as it comes in handy when visiting the vast site that unfolds before you.
Driving from Thessaloniki to Meteora is easy, it took us around 3 hours but we chose a scenic route to see more of the countryside. A satnav is necessary if you are going off-highway as the country roads aren’t well signposted.
2. Where we stayed
Hotel Meteora, in Kalampáka, was the perfect mid-range bed and breakfast for us just off the center of town. For our 2-night stay we booked the Superior Double Room which included a private bathroom. balcony and terrace, and air conditioning.
Hotel Breakfast
Breakfast was a hearty affair, served to individual tables rather than buffet style, with fresh eggs cooked to order.
The owner was extremely helpful in advising us which Meteora Monasteries to visit on the days we were in town (they open/close on different days of the week) and marking on a map the best spots to capture epic views.
He also recommended a tavern down the road for dinner as they have traditional live music playing each night. We loved the food and tavern so much that we went on both evenings of our two-night stay!
View of the Meteora Monasteries, Greece
3. Catching The Best Sunset
As you can imagine the sunsets in Meteora are epic! There are several viewing points along one of the main roads, but they do get very busy so it’s best to go early to get a good spot. We went in low season, so I can’t imagine what it would be like in high season.
Whilst we were waiting patiently for the sun to set we watched a couple in wedding outfits having a photo shoot. It was unclear whether it was for their actual wedding or whether it was a fashion shoot, either way, they would have had amazing images I’m sure!
Sunset in Meteora
The photos we took did no justice at all to the sight we saw before our eyes. It truly is a magical experience and one we will not be forgetting quickly. You really must go and see for yourself!
4. What We Ate
We very much enjoyed all the food we ate in Greece, but especially the evening meals we had at the To Paramithi – Tavern. Daryroush really enjoyed their lamb ribs and red wine, whilst I ordered a selection of hot and cold mezze plates. They have both outdoor and indoor tables, but we opted for inside as we really liked the decor and being able to watch the two guitarists strumming away and singing.
Daryoush Enjoys a Glass of Greek Red Wine
Filling Greek Lunches
Filling Greek Lunches
Lunches were at the Yamas Taverna which is a large restaurant catering to tourist coach parties on the high street. The food was good, the staff attentive, and it was great for people-watching. I enjoyed the best beetroot salad and grilled aubergines after several meat-heavy meals in previous days.
Things To Consider Before Going The Meteora Monasteries
Make sure you book ahead for accommodation, especially in the high season, when it gets very busy and the prices will reflect demand.
Hire a car to get around, unless you seriously love hiking up steep mountains. We did see people explore on mountain bikes too, but we found the steep steps up to the Monasteries was as much as our thighs could handle!
Drones are banned from flying in this Unesco World Heritage Site. However, it isn’t very obvious as we didn’t spot any signage and we did fly our drone on the first day until we looked it up and realised our mistake. A few people did fly drones, so I think it is a common mistake to make when you are traveling independently and do not have a guide to advise you.
Ladies need to be covered from the waist down when entering the Monasteries. I thought I’d be fine wearing ankle-length trousers but I still had to buy a shawl to wrap around myself. They are available at the entrances for the larger sights. To avoid the added expense, bring one with you.
Hopefully, we’ve given you a good idea of what it’s like to visit the Meteora Monasteries and you add it to your bucket list if you haven’t already done so. And if do go, let us know what your favourite part was – we’d love to hear back from you!
Looking for couples hotel accommodation in Halkidiki? Who doesn’t enjoy waking up to the sound of the sea and a leisurely hotel buffet breakfast? We booked a last-minute break to Northern and Central Greece to get the last bit of Autumn sun before bunkering down for the long European winter.
Halkidiki is a region in northern Greece known for its jutting peninsulas, featuring Mediterranean forests lining pristine sandy beaches in sheltered bays. Kassandra, the westernmost peninsula, is the most developed of the three peninsulas, offering modern resorts and nightlife. It is also the closest Peninsula to the Thessaloniki International Airport where you are most likely to fly into.
When looking for an early October beach break that offered more than endless beaches and overpriced tourist food, we stumbled upon some well-priced last-minute flights for Thessaloniki.
Being flexible on holiday is very important for us, so we generally book the first hotel to have somewhere decent to arrive at and then book onward accommodation once we know where we want to go next. This strategy has its pros and cons. It can be stressful for people who like to know exactly where they are staying, but we enjoy the flexibility of ‘going with the flow’! But as we know, it’s a risk and as you will soon find out, we don’t always win the game…
1. Sea Level Hotel, Polychrono, Kassandra
Beach Front Balcony View at Sea Level Hotel
The first two nights we stayed at the Sea Level Hotel, an adults-only hotel on Polychrono Beach in Kassandra. This hotel was exactly what we needed to unwind, relax, and enjoy crystal-clear sea views! We had a beachfront balcony and the hotel was spotless.
It was also nice and quiet, there were only a few other tables of guests during breakfast so there was no queue at the toaster, and the hospitality team was on hand to help if needed.
We very much enjoyed our stay there and tried to book the hotel again the following week but it had closed for the end of the season. We were lucky to be amongst the last guests to stay that week.
A few words of caution: The restaurant and beach loungers can be used by families so it’s not a totally child-free zone! A family with a toddler rented loungers in front of us and totally ruined our afternoon of relaxation. Ha!
We did have an evening meal at the hotel restaurant. The seafood was very fresh but be aware that it’s tourist prices!
Seafood Dinner at Hotel Restaurant
Dinner at the hotel restaurant
Location: 9/10
Cleanliness: 10/10
Service: 9/10
Value: 9/10 (We paid 145 Euro for 2 nights Bed and Breakfast in a seafront room with a balcony)
2. Lagomandra Beach Hotel, Elia Nikitis, Sithonia
Sunset at Elia Beach
We love a good sunset
Spoiler alert!!! It was oh, so grim! We were truly spoilt by our first hotel and should never have left! We went from a child-free hotel to one described as ‘an ideal family-friendly hotel’ and that’s where alarm bells should have rung… What was I even thinking?
Whilst looking for alternative hotel accommodation in Halkidiki, it was my bright idea to try out another hotel on a different peninsula so we were closer to more secluded, less touristy, areas. We hired a car so were super mobile, but it turned out that we could have just stayed put and driven further out.
We booked a ‘Junior Suite’ but I’m not convinced that is what we got. I don’t even have photos of the room to share as it was grim and I didn’t want to keep the memory. Let’s just say the bathroom smelt rotten, the decor was well past needing a refresh, the elderly male guest next door sunbathed bollock-naked on the balcony, and the restaurants during meal times were chaos!
It was an all-inclusive hotel which I thought may have been easier as there were very few local restaurants open due to the season coming to an end. But this hotel was packed so I don’t know if it was the school holidays at the time. The hotel food was passable and filled a hole. I ate a lot of the salads and fish.
The best thing about the hotel was the beach which was a 10-minute walk away from the room.
Location: 8/10
Cleanliness: 2/10
Service: 5/10
Value: 5/10 (We paid 206 Euro for 2 nights Half Board in a Junior Suite with a balcony that overlooked the side of the family pool)
3. Studios Aigialos, Perea, Kassandra
Balcony Views Studios Aigialos
Sunset on Perea Beach
Chosen for its proximity to the airport, we spent the last 2 nights in a small studio flat overlooking the beach and the city center. Studios Aigialos is a recently renovated aparthotel set in Perea, a few steps from Perea Beach. We found them on the Booking.com app and they don’t seem to have a website.
Check-in was easy, we rang the son of the owner on arrival and he showed us to the room. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes to eat at on the beach, and with its proximity to the city center, it was still very busy with local tourists.
The room was comfortable, if a little cramped, the kitchenette had the basics, and the bed Wifi was strong. the only hiccup we had was that the shower drain was blocked and the bathroom began to overflow. So we had to put a load of towels on the floor to stop the water from spilling out into the room. This happened on the last night of our stay so we just reported it on check-out in the morning and they were very apologetic. Despite this, we would recommend this accommodation in Halkidiki when wanting to stay close to the city and airport.
Location: 8/10
Cleanliness: 7/10 (It was all fine until the bathroom flooded!)
Service: 8/10
Value: 7/10 (We paid 145 Euro for 2 nights, self-catering, in a beachfront studio with a balcony)
Things To Consider When Choosing Your Accommodation in Halkidiki
Booking accommodation in Halkidiki in advance is essential! I know I started this post by saying we don’t like to do this, but I learned a massive lesson on this trip. When you go to very touristy places, accommodation needs to be booked in advance, especially amid the high season or in our case when a lot of the good hotels have closed for the winter!
Hire a car, it’s not expensive and it makes getting around so much easier. When you have a car you can drive to the city and have access to a multitude of restaurants with so much choice! Thessaloniki is a thriving, modern, city and has a lot to offer. The roads are very safe and well maintained too.
Go self-catering, you’ll save a fortune by going to the local supermarket and stocking up on your beach snacks and bottled water. We made our picnics for the beach and traveled to the furthest out beaches where there were no shops open and very few people.
Everyone has very different tastes and budgets when it comes to accommodation, so this is from our viewpoint. We aim for mid-range but do like to splash out when we think it’s worth it. No matter what the hotel was like, we don’t tend to spend a huge amount of time in them, so even if one isn’t that great, we never let it ruin the holiday! Halkidiki is beautiful and we highly recommend going.
Looking for things to do in Prague when traveling with older people? Prague is a stunningly beautiful city and well worth visiting if you are looking for an affordable European city break. With stunning architecture such as Prague Castle and the famous Astronomical Clock, the number of visitors is ever-growing earning the city a good reputation as an affordable travel destination and a thriving food scene.
Prague is a small city full of cobble-stoned streets, a very walkable city, but this may be a little challenging for seniors who have difficulty walking long distances. Prague has an excellent public transportation system with trams and subways so this makes getting further out of the city center a lot easier. We took a short trip to Prague in early summer with my parents for a relaxing city break and this is everything we got up to!
Charles Bridge, Prague
1. Where we stayed
We opted for the Pytloun Boutique Hotel Prague – a hotel and bar right in the center of the Old Town of Prague, on Wenceslas Square. It was ideally located as it is close within walking distance to many tourist attractions, and shopping areas and had good restaurant options nearby. The closest metro station was a short 10-15 minute, slow, walk away to get to attractions further afield.
We arrived at the hotel after midnight due to a stressful journey of delayed flight and lost luggage. But the staff were on hand to check us in and show us to the room. In the haze of the moment, I forgot to take photos of the room but we were in a family suite with two double rooms and a shared bathroom, and we opted for breakfast to be included in the room rate.
The rooms are modern and clean, and there was a balcony off one of the rooms which had a small table and chairs to sit out on. But the view was only of the opposite building as we were at the back of the hotel, not on the Wenceslas Square side.
The breakfast is a standard European-style buffet, there is an egg station but it’s very slow and they avoid eye contact as much as possible! I made use of the fruit juicer and enjoyed fresh grapefruit juice every day. The food on offer was the same each day so we were pretty bored of the food by day 3.
Staying in the Old Town is a bit pricier but it offers direct access to amenities on your doorstep and is ideal for older people who may struggle with walking long distances during city breaks.
Location: 9/10 (we could easily go back to the hotel for mid-day breaks and everything necessary was within easy reach)
Cleanliness: 8/10 (The hotel was clean but we had an issue with the shower door screen which caused the bathroom to flood.)
Service: 7/10 (the breakfast hospitality team was great but there weren’t enough table spaces for the number of hotel guests)
Value: 7/10 (The bathroom issue wasn’t resolved during the stay so they gave us a 50 Euro refund as a gesture of goodwill, but the price of the room was still on the higher end for the city)
2. Our Activity Highlights
Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock
Prague’s Old Town Square is probably one of the most visited highlights of the city. On the southern side of the Old Town Hall, you can find the famous astronomical clock. Every hour on the hour (between 9 AM and 11 PM), the 12 apostles start moving around. There was quite a crowd forming in anticipation for the hourly show, but in our opinion, it didn’t live up to the hype!
Prague Castle (Pražský hard) and Gardens
One of the 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Czech Republic, we took the 30-minute tram ride to wander around the gardens and the grounds. My parents now struggle with walking long distances so we opted out of going inside the palace, instead most of the time in the gardens and admiring the building’s architecture and the views. It’s free to walk around the grounds, payment is required for entrance into the building only.
Summer House in Prague Castle Gardens
Guard outside Prague Castle
Astronomical Clock
Wenceslas Square
Our hotel base, and somewhere we would go back to and spend a lot of our downtime. In the Old Town area of Prague, the architecture is beautiful so the street is an attraction in itself. Walking down the street you can find many shops, hotels, restaurants, and street performances at weekends. It was a lovely place to sit in the early evening and people-watch whilst enjoying the sun and soaking in the city vibes.
Charles Bridge
Connecting the Old Town with Lesser Town, this popular pedestrian bridge is filled with musicians, painters, vendors, and tourists. The bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues, which are all unique so it is interesting to stop and look at all the details.
Chair of Illusion
Sword out of Picture Frame
Man falling out of Window
Illusion Art Museum Prague
We had an hour of fun in this small museum whilst my parents took an afternoon nap. Great for photo opportunities and the staff were very helpful.
3. What we ate
We must admit that we weren’t totally in love with traditional Czech food. We tried a restaurant that was highly regarded for their traditional food and we found it wasn’t to our taste as the food was very heavy. This is by no means a reflection of the food on offer! However since Prague is a cosmopolitan city, there was plenty of international cuisine on offer and great bakeries to have light lunches at too.
Prague Meal
Other meals we enjoyed on our 4-day stay included a Middle Eastern family-run restaurant named ‘Jaffa’, a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and a beautiful belly dancer for entertainment throughout the meal.
We also enjoyed a modern Vietnamese meal in one of Prague’s many Vietnamese-run eateries. Fun fact: Vietnamese are the third-largest minority of foreigners in Prague, just after Ukrainians and Slovakians. the Vietnamese came to former communist Czechoslovakia for work and studies. With the fall of communism in 1989, the majority of them decided to stay and made the Czech Republic their permanent home.
Things To Consider When Travelling with Seniors
There are a lot of cobbled roads, so may be difficult walking terrine for people who are more unsteady on their feet.
Old Town is the best location for accommodation if walking a long distance is an issue.
There are a lot of seating areas around for rest time and to watch the world go by.
Public transport is free for those over 65! ID is required and you still need to ‘purchase’ a ticket.
Hopefully, we’ve given you an idea of what it’s like to spend a few days in Prague on a city break with older people. If you do decide to go we’d love to hear what you thought of the city and your favourite places to visit and eat!
Scooter rental in Taiwan is convenient, cost-effective, and hassle-free as long as you have the correct driving license and observe the country’s driving laws. In Hualien City many people get around on scooters, the roads are not busy, and well-maintained. We felt very safe and the scooter rental process was easy. At the end of this blog post, we share the details of the company we used and would recommend to you too.
If you are researching scooter hire in Hualien, you are likely to be planning a visit to Toroko National Park (Toroko Gorge) since it is one of the main reasons visitors come to the city. The good news is that scooter rental in Taiwan is one of the best ways for independent travelers to see the local sights! Who doesn’t enjoy exploring a new city at your own pace?
We spent two nights and 3 days in Hualien exploring the city, Toroko Gorge, and the local beaches. Here are our top 5 tips for scooter rental in Hualien, Taiwan:
1. Bring the correct driving license with you
Yes, they do checkthis and make a copy before you are allowed to hire the scooter. As we are British this is the current UK Government advice, at the time of writing: You need a 1949 international driving permit (IDP) as well as a UK driving license to drive in Taiwan. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel. You can buy an IDP in person from some UK post offices – find your nearest post office branch that offers this service.
If you are from elsewhere check your requirements as they may differ for each country. Our IDP 1949 has a Chinese language transcribed page which comes in handy if you are using a scooter hire company where their English Language is limited and your Taiwanese is worse.
2. Cash deposit or Credit Card
You will be required to leave your Credit Card details in case of any future speeding or traffic contravention fines the hire company may receive after you have returned the bike and left the city. This is standard practice. You can offer to leave a non-returnable cash deposit if you do not have a credit card. But who doesn’t travel with a credit card these days?
Scooter hire in Hualien
Hualien Coastline
I Love Hualien display at the train station
3. Insurance
Make sure your scooter insurance is included in your hire agreement as well as your travel insurance. The scooter insurance provided by the company only covers damage to the vehicles involved, and not for any personal injuries.
In case of a traffic accident, stay at the scene, and call the police to deal with it. Do not under any circumstances leave the scene. You will be breaking the law.
4. Two-stage Turn Left Rule
The Taiwan two-stage left turn is a unique traffic maneuver that is also commonly used in other countries in Asia. It is a way for drivers to make a left turn at an intersection without crossing oncoming traffic. This website spells out the rule well but our scooter hire company also took the time to explain it to us too. This is important and you will get a hefty fine if you do not follow the rules and are caught by the Police or traffic cameras.
We were advised that you could be fined for parking on the sidewalk, despite it being common practice. A quick Google search found that the rules are currently under review which means the situation can change or be interpreted differently by people. Therefore our advice is to park in designated bays, we never paid for parking, and walk a bit further to where you want to be. Hualien is not a massively busy city and we rarely struggled to find parking.
Toroko National Park
We love time in nature
Parking in Toroko National Park
Scooter Rental Recommendation
We hired our scooter from Toroko Rental Car you will find them directly across the road from the main entrance to the train station and they are super helpful and very friendly.
We did not book in advance and were given a well-maintained scooter along with a comprehensive safety talk, including information about the two-stage left-hand turn and traffic rules. The owner’s son speaks good English and shared great tips on getting around the main sites.
Toroko Rental Car provide as standard helmets, helmet liners, a phone holder, and a city map.
We also asked for a recommendation on where to eat locally were directed to a very affordable canteen further up the road where local office workers were queuing to get their mid-day meal. The food was simple, healthy and tasted like home cooking. Unfortunately, we didn’t note the name of the shop but here’s the meal we ate. You pickthe dishes you want from an open display and are charged per item. Free soup is available at the self-service area where you get your cutlery.
Affordable Local Eats in Hualien
We never felt it was unsafe to park the scooter up and everyone would leave helmets hanging off the handlebars. We were super cautious so we would put them inside the seat storage area, but this just goes to show how Taiwan earns its reputation for a low crime rate.
We would highly recommend scooter rental as a way of transport around Hualien and for easy access to Toroko Gorge. We had been trying to book a coach trip and were struggling, probably as it wasn’t quite the season for tourism yet, and having the scooter was the best decision we made!
